Yes, meant to say "to keep contrast under control." And the most useful filter, other than a UV lens protector, was always a polarizer - to make streets black, water deep, snow textured....

Ion-Christopher

06-May-2014 06:12

Actually, with B&W it is far better to keep contrast - I will explain. If you were to print these photos in a newspaper - you could not see anything in the shadows - and the grey would appear too heavy as well. These photos would look TERRIBLE in a newspaper. You can print them lighter, but would likely lose all the light areas - they would go to white. The best solution by far is to expose for the shadows, which gives you sufficient light for shadow detail, and then underdevelop the film, which keeps the highlights on the film from over-developing to black - allowing highlight detail to print. This is the perfect B&W print. Actually, technically, it is called "gray scale." You will also notice a side-benefit that I think is just marvelous - if you are using Tri-x at 400 iso and you do this, and print carefully with good optics, you will see the entire range from lightest gray to black - and you will see the individual film grains (above a certain size). This gives the picture dimensional depth that is a delight when one does cover work (tabloid size prints). Finally one chooses the paper stock to avoid simple black and white - as one would choose art stock. Natural paper is not white - but neither is it sepia. Anyway... We also always used a yellow filter to perfect skin tone - rarely red, blue... for different effects.

I am curious to see how dynamic range = 400% setting and tinting MIGHT help this situation!

Generally, I find that the contrast delivered by the B&W mode is quite good. Although my approach to B&W photos is to post-edit colour photos in PS in order to have better control of fine details and contrast gradations in different zones of the images, the B&W mode directly embedded as a feature of HS10 would give the most convenient way for those photographers who would like to have a fast output from the camera instead of spending time for post-editing photos.

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address.
Name